Penn State ice hockey stays hot in nonconference play
The No. 18-ranked Penn State men’s hockey program grew its nonconference winning streak to 19 games this weekend. The Nittany lions knocked off the Clarkson Knights and the St. Lawrence Saints on Friday and Saturday night, respectively
They also moved to 3-0 on the young 2023-24 season. Next, they’ll look to continue their nonconference winning streak with a first game on home ice.
Recapping Penn State hockey’s weekend
Clarkson
The Nittany Lions started Friday night’s contest hot, opening up the game with three unanswered scores.
Simon Mack got the scoring going late in the first period with his goal assisted by Ryan Kirwan and Danny Dzhaniyev. Christian Sarlo got his first goal of the season just over seven minutes into the second period, handling an assist from Dylan Lugris. Kirwan later notched his second goal in as many games with a power-play goal, assisted by Lugris and Jacques Bouquot.
Clarkson got their first goal in Friday night’s contest with just over five minutes to play in the second period as Ellis Rickwood took advantage of the man advantage. Ryan Taylor made the game closer as he found the back of the net at the halfway mark in the third period to make it a one-goal game.
Down 3-2, the Knights were surging. But, looking to make a comeback and knock off their second- ranked Big Ten opponent of the season, the effort came up short. The Nittany Lions killed a crucial penalty late. They also fended off the Knights’s extra attacker as they pulled their goalie. That attempt left an open net, which McLane found, and made the game a final score of 4-2.
St. Lawrence
Despite tan early goal from the Saints, this game was all Nittany Lions. Scoring from Bouquot, Jarod Crespo, Kirwan, and Alex Servagno led Penn State to a 4-1 victory over the Saints on Saturday night.
After an initial goal, the Nittany Lion defensive core held their own. It kept St. Lawrence stagnant with just one goal for the night.
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Things to take away
Jimmy Dowd Jr. was scratched from both contests this weekend, which may be something to keep an eye on. Dowd Jr. is one of the veteran leaders of this team, as well as being named an honorable mention pick to the All-Big Ten preseason team.
The Nittany Lions took the faceoff battle during the weekend 66-60 during the weekend. Clarkson beat the Nittany Lions within the circles, but Penn State made up for it during the St. Lawrence game.
Penn State dominated the shot battle over the weekend, going 82-48. This is much closer to the numbers that the Nittany Lions of last season were putting up. Penn State dominated the shot totals during the weekend.
During the first three games of the season, Kirwan, the player that head coach Guy Gadowsky said he expected to step up and start to fill the roles of the lost production, has five points. That is massive production from the third year sharp shooter.
What’s next for Penn State
The Nittany Lions will host their home opener against the American International College Friday at 7:00 p.m. at Pegula Ice Arena.
